POLYAS Election Glossary
We provide explanations and background information on elections, voting rights and digital democracy
We provide explanations and background information on elections, voting rights and digital democracy
An independent voter is someone who votes but is not aligned with any particular party. Independent voters often referred to as unaffiliated voters in the USA, and often switch between political parties based on issues rather than because of any long-standing loyalty or affiliation to a party.
Independent voters have been placed into two contradictory categories. On the one hand, being slightly more understanding of politics than a partisan voter. They are supposedly more likely to vote according to changes in policies based on their own, individual ideals.
On the other hand, this behavior implies a tendency to follow deeply held views on certain issues which political parties either avoid or do not represent.
Immigration provides a good example of such a topic, as it is highly divisive. It also helps to show how political parties view unaffiliated voters more as “swing” voters (see also: Swing States). Unaffiliated voters with strong views on immigration that are not being addressed by the main political parties may cast their ballots for the party that most closesly addresses their concerns. Political parties, in turn, shift their policies to win over the undecided voters.
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